Turn of Events

TURN OF EVENTS Chapter 38

"You did good today, Matthew." Callen looked up with surprise at Granger's admission. "You've proven to us that you are indeed ready to return to work. You ensured that you had backup, called in with the latest intel and led us to a successful rescue of your partner. Once your doctor gives you the all clear, we will be glad you have you back to lead your team again." He patted Callen on the shoulder and shook his hand.

Hetty beamed at the difference in Owen Granger since his arrival on the team. Both men before her had come a long way with their trust issues and had slowly allowed people inside their inner sanctum. It amazed her how much working as a team succeeded in bringing people together.

"Thank you, Granger." Callen stood there surprised over his admission.

Nell bounded down the stairs, and stopped in her tracks when she saw Callen in the office. Callen looked guiltily over to her, knowing that he had to face the music with her over that morning. He'd used her by following her in his quest to rescue Sam.

"Nell," Callen started.

"Oh no you don't Nell me, Matt." Nell poked her finger into his chest. Hetty and Granger stepped back and left the two of them to it. They knew that if anyone had the right to rip into him about that morning, it was Nell. "You had no right to follow me. You could have gotten yourself killed."

Nell was annoyed with him, but he also saw her fear that she would lose him again. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have used you like I did. But you've got to understand how important it was for me to find Sam."

"I could have lost you again, damn you, Matt. Don't you get it?"

He got it alright, as he saw the tears spill down her face. He brushed the tears away with his thumb and lifted her chin. "You're not going to lose me, Nell." Suddenly he realised just how much his team thought of him. It was no longer required for him to prove to them that he was worthy. They already felt that about him. Their concern for his welfare struck him hard in the gut, as it tightened in knots. He breathed out a ragged breath as his own emotions got the better of him. "I never intended to hurt you, Nell. I....." He was never any good at expressing his feelings, growing up in the system did that to you. He pulled her closer and captured her lips into a searing kiss, that took Nell by surprise. She fought it at first, but it felt so good to be kissed with passion. He bit on her lower lip, trying to gain excess to her warm mouth that he was sure tasted of Oreos. She melted into his hold and relented, opening up her lips for him to explore her mouth, and she returned the passion as she did the same with him. She lost all sense of where she was and what she was going to scold him for, as her mind couldn't make tail of anything other than the man before her. His scent of musk and gunpowder overcame her senses. His warm body pressed up against hers as they continued to kiss like there was no tomorrow.

Suddenly, Nell remembered where they were and pulled back, gasping for a breath, as both of them tried to calm down from the heat of the moment. Her hazel eyes looked up at his cerulean orbs still in shock over the shared kiss. No one had ever kissed her like that. Even Callen had never kissed her like that before. He'd been soft and gentle. But this kiss, oh she really wanted more of it, but not inside the mission at the base of the stairs. She was certain many of their colleagues had watched them almost consume each other like animals. As she looked around them, she noted how vacant the building had become and she blushed red at the realisation that people had made themselves scarce for a reason. Oh boy, she thought. How was she going to be able to look people in the eye again after their public display of affection? Hetty and Granger for sure had witnessed it.

Callen sensed her embarrassment and he tried to soothe her as he rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. As he held her wrist with his other hand, he felt the rapid beating of her pulse. "Let's get out of here," he quietly told her, leading her back out of the mission and to his car. He opened the door for her, playing the gentleman. He ran around to the driver's side and climbed in and revved the engine. He was happy, truly happy, he realised for the first time in a real long time. He had his family, a beautiful daughter, a team who meant so much to him and Nell. Finally, he could see a future for them as they drove up the coast, not caring where they ended up. The sun was beginning to lower over the Pacific Ocean, it had been a hell of a day, but they all had come out of it unscathed.